The heat wave, which caused thousands of deaths and forest fires in the south of Europe, continues to have its effect. Extreme heat is making its way into northern Europe, including the UK and Ireland. European Union (EU) officials were alarmed. Due to the heat wave, hundreds of thousands of hectares of forested areas in rural areas in countries in the south of Europe such as Portugal, Spain and France have turned to ash. In Spain and Portugal, the number of deaths due to hot weather has exceeded a thousand in total. In the UK, a national emergency warning was issued with a red alert.
SOUTH EUROPE DELIVERED TO THE HOT WAVE
More than 70 thousand hectares of land burned in spain
Spain is battling forest fires at 30 different locations during the heatwave that has lasted for more than a week. It is stated that during the fires, 2 thousand hectares of land have been burned so far and 2 people, including 1 firefighter, lost their lives. According to official data, more than 70,000 hectares have been burned in Spain so far this year, the largest figure in the last 10 years. Authorities also said that a total of more than 510 deaths have been recorded in Spain due to the extreme heat.
659 LOSS OF LIVES IN PORTUGAL
Thousands of hectares of forests burned in Portugal due to the air temperatures reaching 47 degrees and the forest fires. According to the Nature and Forestry Conservation Institute, 39,559 hectares of land burned in Portugal this year. The Portuguese government reported that 659 deaths were recorded last week due to the extreme heat.
MORE THAN 14 THOUSAND PEOPLE DISCHARGED IN FRANCE
Local authorities in France said that the ongoing forest fires in the Gironde region in southwestern France destroyed 14,800 hectares and more than 14,000 people were evacuated from the area. In some parts of France, the air temperature rose above 40 degrees. Officials warned that temperatures could reach 42 degrees in some areas. France has issued a “red alert”, the highest possible warning, for its 38 regions, urging people living in the area to “be extremely careful”.
THE HOTEST DAY OF 135 YEARS HAS HAPPENED IN IRELAND
The heat wave, which started in the south of Europe and progressed to the north, has also affected Ireland and the United Kingdom today. Ireland has recorded the highest temperature in 135 years since 1887, with temperatures reaching 33.3 degrees Celsius today. In Dublin, the capital of Ireland, the temperature reached 33 degrees.
Temperatures are expected to exceed 40 degrees for the first time in the UK
The highest temperature of the year was recorded in England today, with the air temperature reaching 38.1 degrees. While the temperatures were predicted to reach 40 degrees for the first time with the effect of the heat wave, some flights and railways were canceled in the country. While extreme temperatures are expected to continue on Tuesday and exceed 40 degrees, the government has warned of a “national emergency”. A 16-year-old teenager in England died due to extreme heat.